Surgical Assistants

01

Verify the identity of patient or operative site.

02

Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.

03

Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.

04

Coordinate or participate in the positioning of patients, using body stabilizing equipment or protective padding to provide appropriate exposure for the procedure or to protect against nerve damage or circulation impairment.

05

Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.

06

Prepare and apply sterile wound dressings.

07

Apply sutures, staples, clips, or other materials to close skin, facia, or subcutaneous wound layers.

08

Discuss with surgeon the nature of the surgical procedure, including operative consent, methods of operative exposure, diagnostic or laboratory data, or patient-advanced directives or other needs.

09

Determine availability of necessary equipment or supplies for operative procedures.

10

Clamp, ligate, or cauterize blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry, using hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures, or electrocautery equipment.